Letters to the Editor for May 23, 2014

The letter from Barb Anderson of May 16 caught my attention. Ms. Anderson makes the statement that our founding fathers took principles from the Bible and incorporated them into our government with the intent of making this a Christian nation.

Let me offer an alternative view. Amongst the founding fathers we find Washington, Franklin and Jefferson. These men had major responsibilities in forming the government and writing the documents to establish it. They also had the task of designing Washington D.C., and laying out its streets, buildings and monuments. They also had to design the various emblems, seals, coins and stamps that go along with establishing the legitimacy of a government. In terms of designing the capitol city itself, they hired a French architect Pierre L’Enfant.

All four of these gentlemen would be considered of the Christian persuasion. Considering this, it might be assumed that they would incorporate Christian symbolism into the projects they are tasked to design.

But upon close examination I do not see any major Christian symbolism in official government presentations.

What I do see are many symbols depicting ancient Gods and other religious symbols from such places as Rome, Greece and Egypt. So the question now becomes if we are truly a Christian nation, why don’t we see Christian symbols displayed in government presentations.

Let me offer an explanation. Yes, the four men previously mentioned were Christians, but this was not the only thing that they had in common. They were also listed as members of Free Masons’ Lodges, either in this country, or in France. As Free Masons, they applied the principles of that fraternity to the job of forming our country and its physical presence. Freemasons believe that all religions, either ancient or modern, have some merit and none should be considered superior to any other. This is why we find so much ancient world symbolism in our documents, buildings and the layout of Washington D.C. Take a close look at the Great Seal of the United States? It’s on the back of the one dollar bill; see any Christian symbols there?

Washington D.C. contains many Masonic symbols, most hidden in plain sight, for the enjoyment of those who have eyes to see.

John Freeburg
Ramsey

What does coop have to hide?

To the Editor:

I recently met with Connexus Energy management in an attempt to understand why my electric rate keeps going up. As a member/owner, I wanted to learn more about Connexus Energy especially after comparing electric rates with my parents who live in Texas and realizing I am paying 70 percent more for electricity.

How could that be? Connexus Energy is a member/owner cooperative. They pay no income taxes. They pay no shareholder dividends. They have an attractive competitive advantage.

I recently searched the internet looking for utility fuel charges seeing coal prices are either lower or flat for the past several years. I noticed natural gas prices are historically lower peaking in 2007.

With interest rates historically low, I asked Connexus Energy management if they refinanced their debt. They said they did.

All data points to lower energy costs not higher! Connexus Energy is a distribution utility. There is an abundance of supply of electric power generation.

Sometime ago Connexus Energy board and management entered into an agreement with Great River Energy, a power generation utility with primarily a fleet of coal generating power plants. Why would you do that? What is this relationship?

In an attempt to find out, I asked for a copy of the contract. I was told I could not have a copy but I could read it at their offices. I read Great River Energy can raise rates according to their costs. What are the checks and balances? Are they documented?

For the second time I asked for more information and again I was told they need to review my request with their attorney. The first time I was refused and now again I am being refused information. What do they have to hide?

Connexus Energy is a monopoly. There are no competitors. I should pay an attorney to determine if I can access utility information I own?

Michael Rohricht
Andover

No evidence of ‘misinformation’ provided

To the Editor:

After reading a letter in the May 16 edition written by Barb Anderson, I am compelled to make a few insightful comments. I will try to be brief and on point.

First, she begins by criticizing the comments made in a letter from Owen Strand regarding the Catholic faith by stating: “Owen Strand’s April 25 letter contains so much misinformation about the Catholic church that it is hard to know where to begin with a 350 word limit.” So guess what she does? She doesn’t even try, instead she addresses “another one of Strand’s false claims about ‘our constitutional separation of church and state.’”

Nicely done, Ms. Anderson. Now that you have decided that Mr. Strand is a purveyor of “misinformation” without offering even a shred of evidence to that point, you commence to attack him on another front relying, of course, on your totally unfounded premise that he is a purveyor of misinformation. Nice segue.

The real purpose of your letter is to “prove” that the Constitution does not call for a separation of church and state. Does the Constitution contain the phrase ‘separation of church and state’? No. What else does it not contain? The word “Christian,” the word “God,” the words “Jesus Christ” or words calling the country a “Christian nation?” No to all. I think if the founders had intended this to be a Christian nation wouldn’t they have specified that in the document itself?

What did they include in the Constitution? Article VI bans “religious tests” for public office; the First Amendment bars all laws “respecting an establishment of religion” and protects “the free exercise thereof.” Do you understand those words? Banning the establishment of a religion means that there will be no State sanctioned religion and that no religion may be favored over another. Protecting the “free exercise” means that any citizen may follow any religion they so choose or can follow no religion at all without any governmental interference.

The founders were not Christians, but mostly Deists. Read “The Jefferson Bible” for more proof.